Are you feeling depressed lately? Your mood may be a result of your diabetes.

If your blood sugar isn’t being controlled properly, you can suffer from mood swings, confusion, forgetfulness, and - most dramatically - depression, says the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Talk to your doctor about how to improve your mood if you have any of the following symptoms:

Persistent feelings of sadness and emptiness

Change in sleeping patterns - too much or too little

Change in appetite

Lack of desire to do things you once enjoyed, such as hobbies or visiting with friends and family

Extreme fatigue or lack of energy

Feelings of worthlessness or undeserved guilt

Diabetes-related depression can be helped by getting your blood sugar under control. Exercise will improve your mood, and there are medications that can make you feel well enough to function day-to-day.

Reprinted from 101 Tips for Aging Well with Diabetes by David B. Kelley, MD. Copyright by the American Diabetes Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved.